Aidan Johnston
Digital Learning Systems Developer
Academic Development and Student Learning
Aidan began working at Glasgow Caledonian University in 2002 as an educational technologist on a seven-year Jisc, National Science Foundation (NSF) and BBC Information and Archives funded project, titled: “Digital Libraries in the Classroom: The Spoken Word project." This project investigated the use and application of BBC audio and video archive materials for teaching and learning purposes, and explored the notion of students “writing on and for the internet."
As a Learning Enhancement Advisor at the University of Strathclyde, Aidan was responsible for operationally supporting the development and conversion of a range of existing courses, and the development of new courses, for online and blended learning. Aidan provided expert advice to enhance teaching, learning and assessment through the use of learning technologies including online platforms such as FutureLearn, the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) platform, which is a private company funded by the Open University and Moodle, and the institutional Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). Aidan has developed nine award-winning MOOCs covering socially diverse topics ranging from “Introduction to Forensic Science” to “Caring for Vulnerable Children” and “Understanding Violence Against Women: Myths and Realities” with a combined enrolment of over 350,000 participants worldwide.
He has vast experience and knowledge in Virtual Learning Environments (VLE), Online Course design and delivery, Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), podcasting, vidcasting, mobile learning, blended learning, blogs, wikis, and utilising web technologies to support teaching and learning.
Aidan is a Fellow (FHEA) and an Associate Fellow (AFHEA) of Advance HE. He holds a BSc (Hons) in Quantity Surveying, a Postgraduate Diploma in eCommerce Technology, a Postgraduate Certificate in Supporting Student Learning, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Academic Studies (Academic Practice).